A 6am flight means leaving home in the middle of the night, and a late landing can mean the last train has already gone. This guide covers when to leave, when bag drop closes, which trains run at night to Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester, and how a pre-booked taxi works at any hour.
How early should you get to the airport?
Each airport gives its own advice:
- Heathrow: two hours before a UK or European flight and three hours before a long-haul flight. Heathrow also warns against arriving five or six hours early, because check-in may not be open yet.
- Gatwick: at least two hours before your flight.
- Luton: typically two to three hours before your flight.
- Stansted and Manchester: both ask you not to arrive before your check-in time.
To work out your pickup time, take the time you want to be at the airport, then subtract the journey time and a margin for roadworks or a closed road. For example, for a 6:30am flight from Luton with a 30-minute drive, aim to be at the airport by about 4:30am, so a pickup at around 3:45am gives you a sensible buffer. If you are not sure, tell us your flight time when you book and we will suggest a pickup time.
When does bag drop close?
Missing the bag drop cut-off usually means missing the flight, and it is set by your airline, not the airport. These are the airlines’ published rules, checked in October 2026:
- Ryanair: check-in and bag drop close 60 minutes before departure from 10 November 2026 (it was 40 minutes before that date).
- Wizz Air at Luton and Gatwick: opens 3 hours and closes 60 minutes before departure.
- Jet2: closes strictly 40 minutes before departure.
- British Airways: closes 45 minutes before a short-haul flight and 60 minutes before a long-haul one.
- easyJet: up to 60 minutes before departure, depending on the airport. Check your booking.
Tip for very early flights: some airlines let you drop your bags the evening before. At Luton there is a “twilight” bag drop for flights before 9am, and British Airways offers an evening-before bag drop at Heathrow Terminal 5 for flights before 10am. Check with your airline.
Trains at night: what runs and what does not
Train times change with every new timetable, so always check before you travel. This is the picture from the official websites in October 2026:
| Airport | Earliest and latest trains | All night? |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | Heathrow Express from Paddington from 04:34 Monday to Saturday (later on Sundays), last at 23:25; Elizabeth line from about 04:36 on weekdays | Only the Piccadilly line Night Tube on Friday and Saturday nights (not to Terminal 4) |
| Gatwick | Gatwick Express every 30 minutes from about 05:00 to 23:00 | Southern and Thameslink trains run through the night, less often |
| Luton | Luton Airport Express from St Pancras 05:45 to 23:55 on weekdays (shorter hours at weekends, from midday on Sundays) | The Luton DART shuttle runs 24 hours, every 15 minutes late at night, but you still need a train to Luton Airport Parkway |
| Stansted | Stansted Express from Liverpool Street from 03:40 to 04:40 depending on the day, last at 23:21 | No regular overnight service |
| Manchester | Frequent trains from Manchester Piccadilly by day | Roughly one train an hour through the night |
Even where a train runs, you still have to get to the station in the middle of the night, often with luggage. That is where a pre-booked taxi from your door helps most.
The airports at night
- Heathrow schedules no departures between 11pm and 6am, so the first flights leave from 6am.
- Gatwick terminals are open 24 hours a day.
- Luton is open 24 hours and has no ban on night flights.
- Stansted closes its terminal between midnight and 2am and does not allow sleeping in the terminal, so do not plan to arrive the night before.
- Manchester operates 24 hours but does not allow overnight stays inside the terminal.
Landing late at night
If your flight lands after the last train, or is delayed until it has gone, a pre-booked taxi means you are not stuck at the airport. Add your flight number when you book: we track your flight, so your pickup moves if it lands early or late. Every airport pickup includes 45 minutes of free waiting from the time your flight lands. If you would rather be met inside arrivals and helped with your bags, add Meet & Greet for £10.
Booking a night-time pickup with us
- 24/7: we pick up at any hour of the day or night.
- Same price day or night: there is no extra charge for a night-time pickup. Your fixed price is the same at 3am as at 3pm.
- Book ahead: you can book up to 45 minutes before pickup, but for an early flight it is best to book the day before or earlier.
- Your driver’s details: before your pickup, we email you your driver’s name, mobile number and vehicle registration.
Common questions
Do you charge more for an early-morning or late-night taxi?
No. Our fixed prices are the same at any time of day or night.
Can I book a taxi for 3am?
Yes. We work 24/7, so you can book a pickup for any time, as long as you book at least 45 minutes before it.
What time should I leave for a 6am flight?
Aim to be at the airport two hours before a UK or European flight (three for long-haul), then add your journey time and a margin. For a 6am flight that usually means being at the airport by about 4am.
Get your fixed price
Get an instant fixed-price quote for your early-morning or late-night transfer to or from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted or Manchester, or call us 24/7 on +44 1582 800333. Travelling with a lot of luggage? See our vehicle and luggage guide.
